African National Congress (ANC) deputy president David Mabuza has begun with his door-to-door campaign at Botshabelo in the Free State.
Mabuza is mobilising support for his party ahead of May’s general elections. He has been engaging with shoppers at a local shopping mall. He has received a warm welcome from most of the people at the mall.
However, residents in Botshabelo have used Mabuza’s visit to express their frustrations of poor service delivery. They say they are struggling with services delivery ranging from poor housing, sewer spillage and unemployment among others.
Residents say they would love to see politicians beyond elections.
ANC Deputy President Comrade David Mabuza now conducting blitz and walkabout at Botshabelo Taxi Rank in Free State #VoteANC#GrowSouthAfrica #ThumaMina pic.twitter.com/yHigcu7Y0V
— African National Congress (@MYANC) April 20, 2019
The residents have cited various challenges namely that they don’t have any toilets, they don’t have any roads – mentioning that they struggle because when it’s raining is mud everywhere and the cars usually stuck.
Calls have been made to Mabuza in his capacity as deputy president in government to assist with services especially toilets.
“We always vote but they only come when they want our votes and they don’t fulfil their promises, we have families that are struggling and elderly people and the youth with parents that are not working if only government can help us with those things,” said a disgruntled resident.
The ANC is targeting its strongholds in the province. Mabuza’s campaign follows the visit of ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa and secretary-general, Ace Magashule to the area two weeks ago.
Botshabelo has been experiencing challenges of gangsterism.
